How have I never read any of Lisa Jewell's books before?
Am reading Ralph's Party for the first time, and she had me hooked within the first few pages. I love Lisa's writing style, it's exactly the sort of book I like to get lost in for a few hours.
And then I read an interview she gave to Novelicious, and this is what she had to say about her approach to writing:
Am reading Ralph's Party for the first time, and she had me hooked within the first few pages. I love Lisa's writing style, it's exactly the sort of book I like to get lost in for a few hours.
And then I read an interview she gave to Novelicious, and this is what she had to say about her approach to writing:
I am the most chaotic writer I know. I slightly hate other writers for being so organised with their whiteboards and first drafts and their thousand words a day and then lunch. I come to a book with nothing more than a sense of how I want the book to feel, a couple of characters and a vague idea of what I want to happen to them. I stumble around for the first hundred pages having absolutely no idea what’s going on, spend weeks writing barely nothing, then finally get a light bulb moment and think, aha! that’s what the book’s about, feel elated for about five minutes and then disconsolate again when I hit another brick wall five minutes later. I don't do a first draft. I do a bit of editing here and there, but usually pass on a complete manuscript to my editor which I have only finished the day before. Writing really stresses me out because I seem to have no control over it. Which is why I so love holding the book in my hands for the first time, because it is proof that beyond all the chaos and lack of planning I have, against all the odds, managed to write a book.
I think I *proper* love Lisa Jewell for saying that. It made me giddy with relief, because it's just how I am too. Up to now i've always feel like a bit of a donkey for not being more organised and plotty, but no more.
If it's good enough for Lisa Jewell, it's more than good enough for me.
Lisa Jewell is one of my FAVOURITE and BEST authors. I LOVE her! You must read After The Party next. I waited years between the two books but you're lucky and can get the goss straight away :)
ReplyDeleteAm now feeling superior and suer lucky! We tend to like the same authors, have you noticed, Rach?
ReplyDeleteI love Lisa Jewell, too! I really recommend One Hit Wonder and Vince & Joy :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I love her a little more for that fabulous quote!